I love using the camera on the iPhone to snap pictures and send them to Evernote.

I love the fact that when I send pictures taken on my iPhone to Evernote they are automatically scanned and completely searchable.

I hate the fact that the iPhone’s camera take lousy close-ups of text.

That’s why I was so excited to see that Griffin was releasing the Clarifi, a special case with the built-in lens that boosts the eye phones camera resolution.

The good folks at Griffin were kind enough to send a review unit of the Clarifi case and it had a chance to use it for the last few weeks. Here’s my take — In order to really get a sense of the Clarifi one needs to look at it from two perspectives — (1) as a protective case for the iPhone and (2) as an enhancement to the camera. On both fronts it does pretty well.

As Protective Case for the iPhone

The Clarify is most similar in style to the Contour Flick Case I reviewed (and love) on whatsoniphone.com a few weeks ago. It’s a slick, slim case that slips over the iPhone. The bottom portion is easily removable so that the iPhone remains dock-able. And while Clarifiy is a bit thicker than the Contour case, it doesn’t add a tremendous amount of bulk to it.

There are however, two downsides. First, while in the case the iPhone’s screen is somewhat recessed. This makes it a little bit harder to manipulate the screen than normal. Second, although a screen protector is included, the case doesn’t offer any real protection beyond scratch proofing it.

As a case only, it’s not bad.

As An Enhancement To The iPhone’s Camera

This is obviously where this case stands out. Griffin describes this unique feature in the following way–

Slide the Clarifi lens into place over the built-in lens of your iPhone. Your macro and close-up shots are instantly finer in detail, more accurate in color. With Clarifi’s lens, your iPhone can image an entire business card with astounding clarity. Slide the lens aside for normal photography. WIthout Clarifi, iPhone requires about 18 inches to focus properly. Slide Clarifi’s lens into place and you can move in to 4 inches for crisp detail and great pictures.

Sounds impressive, right? But how does it work? Does it live up to the hype? Judge for yourselves —

While there is only so much you can do with a camera like the iPhone’s the Clarifi clearly makes a noticeable difference. Best of all, since it is built into the case using it is as simple as sliding the extra lens over the iPhone’s. It is a transition that takes less than a second.

I’m really impressed with this case and recommend it to anyone who uses the iPhone’s built-in camera to take close-ups of text.

What I Like:

Easy to get the iPhone in and out of it

Case feels good in the hand and doesn’t add too much bulk

The special lens makes a real difference.

What Needs Improvement:

I wish there were a way it could protect the screen a bit more

The Clarifi retails for $34.99.

For more information or to order it directly from Griffin you can visit the website HERE.

Having a father who was heavily involved in early laser and fiber-optical research, Dan grew up surrounded by technology and gadgets. Dan’s father brought home one of the very first video games when he was young and Dan remembers seeing a “pre-release” touchtone phone. (When he asked his father what the “#” and “*” buttons were his dad said, “Some day, far in the future, we’ll have some use for them.”)Technology seemed to be in Dan’s blood but at some point he took a different path and ended up in the clergy. His passion for technology and gadgets never left him.